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Ptelea L. (Rutaceae)

A genus of about eleven species of small trees; North America (south into Mexico).

One species occurs in North Carolina: Ptelea trifoliata (Hop-tree). It is native to the state.

Only one other small tree in North Carolina exhibits trifoliolate leaves: Staphylea trifolia (Bladdernut; Staphyleaceae). However, in P. trifoliata the leaves are borne alternately, whereas in S. trifolia, the leaves are born oppositely.


Bark of Ptelea trifoliata
Bark of Ptelea trifoliata (Copyright W. Cook)
expand/contract button Twigs of Ptelea trifoliata
Twigs of Ptelea trifoliata (coming soon)
expand/contract button Leaves and flowers of Ptelea trifoliata
Leaves and flowers of Ptelea trifoliata (Copyright W. Cook)
expand/contract button Flowers of Ptelea trifoliata
Flowers of Ptelea trifoliata (Copyright W. Cook)
expand/contract button Samaras of Ptelea trifoliata
Samaras of Ptelea trifoliata (Copyright W. Cook)
expand/contract button N.C. distribution of Ptelea trifoliata
N.C. distribution of Ptelea trifoliata
expand/contract button
Ptelea trifoliata (Hop-tree)
(Uncommon; rocky bluffs, especially calcareous or mafic, open woodlands, calcareous CP river bluffs, granitic domes; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Apr-Jun. Fr: Jun-Aug)